Rechargeable battery using an electrode assembly having at least one insulating plate

Abstract

An electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery resists external impacts applied to the rechargeable battery, and includes a sealing tape attached to an outer circumference of the rechargeable battery, which extends toward an upper part and a lower part to prevent the electrode assembly from unfastening, and a top insulating plate and a bottom insulating plate may be attached to the extended portion of the sealing tape. A shock resistant electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery has an insulating plate attached thereto by an extended portion of a sealing tape, thereby preventing the electrode assembly from moving in a battery housing when an external impact is applied.

1. An electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery, comprising:
 an assembly including:
 a positive electrode plate, 
 a negative electrode plate, and 
 a separator between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, the assembly having an outer circumference including the separator; 
 
 at least one insulating plate positioned on at least one of an upper part or a lower part of the assembly, the at least one insulating plate including an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer side surface between the upper and lower surfaces; and 
 a sealing tape attached to substantially the entire outer circumference of the assembly and to substantially the entire outer side surface of the at least one insulating plate, the sealing tape being directly on the separator, and the at least one insulating plate being fixed in the electrode assembly by the sealing tape. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one insulating plate includes a first insulating plate positioned on the upper part of the assembly and a second insulating plate positioned on the lower part of the assembly, 
 a first end of the sealing tape extends as far as a thickness of the first insulating plate, and 
 a second end of the sealing tape extends as much as the thickness of the second insulating plate. 
 
     
     
       3. The electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of holes is formed in the at least one insulating plate. 
     
     
       4. The electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrode assembly has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       5. The electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insulating plate is formed from polyolefin. 
     
     
       6. A rechargeable battery, comprising:
 an electrode assembly including a separator between at least two electrodes, and an outer circumference of the electrode assembly including the separator; 
 a battery housing receiving the electrode assembly; 
 a cap assembly sealing the battery housing; 
 at least one insulating plate positioned on at least one of an upper part or a lower part of the electrode assembly, the at least one insulating plate including an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer side surface between the upper and lower surfaces; and 
 a sealing tape attached to substantially the entire outer circumference of the electrode assembly and to substantially the entire outer side surface of the at least one insulating plate, the sealing tape being directly on the separator, and the at least one insulating plate being fixed to the electrode assembly by the sealing tape. 
 
     
     
       7. The rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein:
 the at least one insulating plate includes a first insulating plate positioned on the upper part of the electrode assembly and a second insulating plate positioned on the lower part of the electrode assembly, 
 a first end of the sealing tape extends at least as much as a thickness of the first insulating plate, and 
 a second end of the sealing tape extends at least as much as a thickness of the second insulating plate. 
 
     
     
       8. The rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of holes is formed in the at least one insulating plate. 
     
     
       9. The rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the rechargeable battery has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       10. The rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one insulating plate is formed from polyolefin. 
     
     
       11. A method of fabricating a rechargeable battery, comprising:
 forming an electrode assembly by winding a separator between at least two electrodes, an outer circumference of the electrode assembly including the separator; 
 positioning at least one insulating plate on at least one of an upper part or a lower part of the electrode assembly after forming the electrode assembly, the at least one insulating plate including an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer side surface between the upper and lower surfaces; 
 affixing the at least one insulating plate to the electrode assembly, after positioning the at least one insulating plate, by attaching a sealing tape to substantially the entire outer side surface of the at least one insulating plate and to substantially the entire outer circumference of the electrode assembly; 
 inserting the electrode assembly and the at least one insulating plate having the sealing tape attached thereto into a battery housing; 
 injecting an electrolyte into the battery housing; and 
 sealing the battery housing by sealing an upper opening of the battery housing with a cap assembly. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of fabricating a rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of holes is formed in the at least one insulating plate. 
     
     
       13. The method of fabricating a rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the rechargeable battery has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       14. The method of fabricating a rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one insulating plate is formed from polyolefin. 
     
     
       15. The rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a lateral end of the sealing tape is in direct contact with the outer side surface of the at least one insulating plate. 
     
     
       16. The rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein:
 the lower surface of the at least one insulating plate faces the electrode assembly, and 
 the lateral end of the sealing tape is horizontally aligned with the upper surface of the at least one insulating plate. 
 
     
     
       17. The electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a lateral end of the sealing tape is in direct contact with the outer side surface of the at least one insulating plate. 
     
     
       18. The electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the lower surface of the at least one insulating plate faces the assembly, and 
 the lateral end of the sealing tape is horizontal aligned with the upper surface of the at least one insulating plate.